Decisions, Surprises, Obstacles, Plans, Perspective and Opportunities

     For many years I struggled with making a decision between choosing security and stability versus freedom and opportunity.  This difficult decision is one that we all face and battle with at some point.  For me it manifested as a question of staying in finance with a salary, benefits, bonus, etc. versus leaving to pursue my passion in fitness and wellness.  By now you know I decided to give myself the gift of freedom, but my decision was drawn out for many reasons... one of which was the following question, "What does a fitness professional do if they get injured and can't be on their feet or physical at all?"  Well, we're about to find out.

     On Saturday, April 27th I was playing in the Woodstick Classic Alumni Lacrosse Game between the old guys from storied rival schools Garden City and Manhasset.  I was really excited to play as the annual game represents many great things for me.  I had the opportunity to help raise money for a good cause and to honor a great man while playing the sport I love and competing! I felt a bit tight before the game so I spent time warming up and stretching.  Then five minutes into the game I found myself running out to help my teammate who was getting pressured from a few Manhasset players.  As I casually strode upfield to receive the pass... BANG.  I felt like I was shot in the back of the foot.  In the split seconds it took me to hit the ground I prayed that I'd been slashed by a trailing defender, but I knew there was no one around.  I ignored what was immediately obvious to me, and pretended I could run off the field.  However, I looked down and saw my foot dangling before I fell again. Surprise! Two friends (players from each team) quickly picked me up and carried me off.  I was humbled by the moment as I immediately felt helpless but thankful.  Doctors have since confirmed what I knew had happened.  I ruptured/completely tore my Achilles tendon.

     So after missing my dear friend's wedding that Saturday night (Congratulations Ali and Justin Dillon!), and after cancelling my long awaited trip to San Juan, PR with my beautiful and very understanding girlfriend, Laura (to have left this coming Friday) ... I'm going to have to face a number of new obstacles.  The new obstacles are many including being bedridden with my foot up for two weeks; a cast and crutches for two months; six months of rehab and recovery; and an entire year before I'm back to full strength.  Those are the physical challenges.  The greater challenge will be re-creating myself a fitness and wellness professional who can't walk, drive, train clients, or give lacrosse lessons.  I'm refocusing the plans which are centered around maintaining a positive attitude, learning from this experience, and sharing my thoughts and hopefully inspiration with you as I deal with this challenge.  

     I'm tempted to feel sorry for myself at times because this doesn't seem fair, BUT I WILL NOT DWELL on the negatives.  I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me, and I know very well that things could be A LOT worse.  The horrific tragedies of this past month especially have brought immeasurable pain and suffering to hundreds and thousands of innocent people and their families.  Those people directly affected by the events in Boston, Texas, China, and the Philippines, to name a few, suffered far greater in an instant (and eternally) than most of us ever will.  These tragedies really help put into perspective for me how insignificant my heartache and challenges are.  A few other amazing things have helped me keep things in perspective.  One, the fact that I was injured playing in a game held to raise money for the Cohen Children's Medical Center (donate to Monster's Kids) in memory of Ryan Kohart (donate to Scholarship Fund).  The young children who I was playing for face tougher challenges on a daily basis. Ryan Kohart perished on September 11, 2001 tragically leaving behind family and friends before getting the chance to live his adult life.  Two, shortly after I got home I received a random text from "Papa Stoff" saying that he was just thinking about me and wanted to wish me well (he had no idea I was hurt).  My friend Matt Stoffel died in a drunk driving accident in 2005 (To donate specify "other" and describe "Matt Stoffel Scholarship Fund). Papa Stoff and his wife Pat have been unbelievable pillars of strength through this hardship.  Finally, my friend Mike stopped by the house to see me.  He brought me a shirt he had just purchased.  The shirt gave tribute to Welles Crowther, "The Man in the Red Bandana" who sacrificed his own life in order to save at least a dozen people before the South Tower collapsed on September 11th (donate to honor Welles).  The memory of these people and events were very powerful reminders that my injury would be a very minor hurdle in the grand scheme of things.

     I'm finishing up this post from my hospital bed and heading in for surgery to repair the Achilles in five minutes. I'm excited to get through this and to start the recovery process so I can begin to embrace ALL the new opportunities this experience will bring to the forefront.  Stay positive and stay tuned!